JAMES CAIRD SOCIETY SHACKLETON NEWS

FATHOM

Fathom Expeditions was born, it says, 'on the inspiration of the Antarctic explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton.

Drawing on 110 previous Antarctic expeditions and a strong passion for exploration and learning, we have created a boutique and personal expedition company dedicated to once-in-a-lifetime experience using small ships to travel the remote regions of the world.

'The company is owned and operated by the very expedition leaders that guide our trips. We work closely with every client to ensure proper preparation and information flow. Our experienced team holds a tremendous passion for the planet's wilderness regions and we hope that this enthusiasm shows in our itineraries and programs. We have purposely kept our product line small and specialized to ensure every detail is well laid out and of the highest quality. The rewards that stem from one of our trips to the last continent are varied and numerous. Our Expedition Leaders delight in demystifying these places for travelers of all walks of life. In the words of explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton - "Never the last endeavour"'

What sets them aside, they maintain, is the fact that their Expedition Leaders deal with clients directly. Furthermore, they have extensive experience: 'Antarctica is a remote, little known destination. We specialize in this region. Our staff (from the president on down) have journeyed South dozens of times to lead a variety of interest groups including IMAX film teams, scientists, naturalists, and explorers. Our on-land knowledge has been honed during hands-on expedition experience. Our experience translates directly into our products.'

Over the years, Fathom have (they maintain) developed a widespread network of friends, associates and institutions. They utilize all our contacts to ensure each expedition is meticulously crafted and flawlessly executed.

Thir trips, they assert, 'tend to be slightly longer than other to ensure a relaxed unhurried, thorough experience. Itineraries are ambitious and exciting. They visit the secret places we have discovered over the years.'

Fathom Expeditions'Antarctic trips early in 2004 included the Spirit of Shackleton/Scotia Voyage.

The voyage retraced the route of Shackleton, the Endurance and the James Caird, from the five mile icebergs of the Weddell Sea to Elephant Island and the Stromness whaling station on South Georgia, cataloguing Shackleton's trials with a visit to his grave at the abandoned Grytviken whaling station. Adventurers had the opportunity to follow part of Shackleton's path on foot (walk/hike/or climb) and to land in King Haakon Bay, where the James Caird beached and Shackleton and his five men - Worsley, Crean, McCarthy, McNeigh and Vincent - came ashore.

In addition to retracing this famed route by steam and foot, there was the opportunity to sail a small boat : in 2002, Fathom built their very own replica of the James Caird, Shackleton's famed lifeboat; this new version of the Caird took the Spirit of Shackleton voyage to a whole new level, making modern-day history. On the voyage Fathom again offered passengers the opportunity to re-live the experience of sailing in the southern ocean in a veritable 22 ft. wooden lifeboat akin to the original James Caird of 1914.

'To our delight, we had master boat builder, Bob Wallace, aboard. And there was an opportunity to forge part of the Shackleton route, with our special guest, David Hahn, climber/explorer and adventurer. This is a rare adventure cruise with the opportunity to venture inland in both South Georgia and Antarctica.'

Into the Ice, Fathom's other expedition (12th February 04 to 21st February 04), heads for Terra Australis Incognita, the Unknown Southern Land, which lies at the bottom of the world surrounded by the Antarctic Ocean. It is a place of profound beauty, isolation, and wilderness - a world blanketed with ice at times 15,000 feet thick and 60,000 years old. The expedition attempts to approach the Antarctic Circle through the protected bays and fjords of the Peninsula Region, making daily use of Fathom's fleet of Zodiac boats for planned and spontaneous landings and cruises.